Person of the Week
Like many of you, I was shocked when I heard earlier this week, that Tennessee womens basketball coach Pat Summitt was diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer's type. Sports fans all over the country stopped for a minute to think about what it was we just heard. The reaction was the same from everywhere. Pat Summitt? This can't be true. Unfortunately it is.
For lack of a better phrase, Summitt has always been the 'baddest man (person) in the room'. Please don't misunderstand, I say that with all the respect in the world. She has not only blazed a trail for women in sports and coaching, but she out did them all, men included. Did you know, she is the all-time winningest coach in college basketball? She is also the only coach in NCAA history with over 1000 wins? That includes names like Wooden, Knight and Smith.
There are also eight national championship trophy's in Knoxville that her Lady Vols are responsible for. A number that is second only to UCLA and John Wooden winning 10. She was also ranked number 11 in the Sporting News list of the fifty greatest coaches of all time, in any sport. We can go on and on.
She was also a great player in her own right, winning a silver medal in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. It should also be mentioned that in 1984, she coached the US team to gold in the Los Angeles games.
She has stated that with her diagnosis, this season 'won't turn into a pity party' and honestly, anyone who has watched her over the years would agree. it won't be. Her reputation as a tough, no-nonsense, type is well earned. Many an opposing coach and errant official has taken her wrath over the years. One of the hallmarks of a Summitt coached team, is the way she is always pushing herself and her team beyond their limits. It was like she was always trying to prove that she not only belonged with the giants of the sport, but that she was the biggest of them all. And as we have seen with her success, she is.
First she showed us that a woman could compete and win, now she is going to prove that it could be done with a debilitating disease. And you know what, she will. Pat Summitt is our Person of the Week.
Sunday Night with another Top Ten List
We will talk soon, promise...
Jeff
For lack of a better phrase, Summitt has always been the 'baddest man (person) in the room'. Please don't misunderstand, I say that with all the respect in the world. She has not only blazed a trail for women in sports and coaching, but she out did them all, men included. Did you know, she is the all-time winningest coach in college basketball? She is also the only coach in NCAA history with over 1000 wins? That includes names like Wooden, Knight and Smith.
There are also eight national championship trophy's in Knoxville that her Lady Vols are responsible for. A number that is second only to UCLA and John Wooden winning 10. She was also ranked number 11 in the Sporting News list of the fifty greatest coaches of all time, in any sport. We can go on and on.
She was also a great player in her own right, winning a silver medal in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. It should also be mentioned that in 1984, she coached the US team to gold in the Los Angeles games.
She has stated that with her diagnosis, this season 'won't turn into a pity party' and honestly, anyone who has watched her over the years would agree. it won't be. Her reputation as a tough, no-nonsense, type is well earned. Many an opposing coach and errant official has taken her wrath over the years. One of the hallmarks of a Summitt coached team, is the way she is always pushing herself and her team beyond their limits. It was like she was always trying to prove that she not only belonged with the giants of the sport, but that she was the biggest of them all. And as we have seen with her success, she is.
First she showed us that a woman could compete and win, now she is going to prove that it could be done with a debilitating disease. And you know what, she will. Pat Summitt is our Person of the Week.
Sunday Night with another Top Ten List
We will talk soon, promise...
Jeff
My admiration for Pat Summtt is enormous. I thank her for letting us be witness to her " next mountain" to climb.
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